216 THE BUTTERFLY VIVARIUM. 



hibits exactly the analogy of proportion we slionld 

 expect with the perfect insect, which is shown imme- 

 diately above (No. 2). This insect — the Great Flat- 

 bodied Drag-on-fly — is among the most common, 

 though one of the handsomest of the family. On 

 fine summer days he may be seen in the evening in 

 our gardens in pursuit of his insect prey. The 

 graceful quivering of his silvery wings, as he hovers 

 over some devoted victim, exhibits to perfection his 

 skill in the art of flying, and the manner in which 

 he sweeps off when disturbed or disappointed is 

 really magnificent. 



Though not so richly coloured as the kind last 

 described, he is yet far from deficient in that re- 

 spect, the soft lilac bloom of the body of the male 

 forming a very pleasing contrast Avith the rich solid 

 brown patches at the base of his exquisitely trans- 

 parent wings. His eyes, of the kind termed com- 

 pound, from being composed of an infinite number 

 of brilliant facets, are very beautiful, even to the 

 naked eye ; but with the aid of a powerful glass 

 they form very splendid objects, and the owner 

 of a Vivarium should not fail to examine them 

 before he gives the creature his liberty, or consigns 

 him to the honour of a place in his cabinet, as 

 the case may be. The female of this species is dis- 



